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Soul Still Remembers

Anywhere from folk-rock to plain old rock 'n' roll, changing time-signatures from song to song and even within one song, THE CRITICS seem inspired by Zeppelin at one point, the Beatles at others, and James Taylor at others. At any rate, it sounds good.

Genre: Rock: Classic Rock

Release Date: 2004

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ABOUT THIS ALBUM

The following is taken from a review by Dr. Denny Burk, professor at Criswell College in Dallas, TX.

"Soul Still Remembers"...is my new favorite album, and the Critics are my new favorite band.

Musically, "Soul Still Remembers" deserves a place among the all-time greats. I am a fan of bands like Counting Crows, Vertical Horizon, and Train, and this album surpasses them all. A written review cannot do justice to the Critics by way of description. You simply have to buy this album and listen to it for yourself.

To enjoy the album as it was intended, you really have to buy the CD. The songs are not arranged willy-nilly, but actually appear in an intentional sequence. The CD jacket is printed like a book, complete with chapter divisions and endnotes. Each song comprises a chapter (or "canto") in what is supposed to look like a book of poetry. And the lyrics are indeed poetry.

The lyrics portray the ruminations of an individual who is grappling with the issue of repentance, and each chapter opens up new vistas into the human condition before God. All of this is mixed with a profound understanding of the Word of God and how it describes our plight and salvation. Every time I reread these lyrics, there is a new insight that I hadn't seen before.

One of my favorite songs of the album is "To Jeremiah," a poem about the prophet and the Biblical book bearing his name. This song illustrates what is true of the rest of the pieces on the album; the lyrics can stand alone by themselves as poetry. Here's "To Jeremiah":

'Sing to me, Jeremiah,
of pickled skin and cracked bones,
of wrists rusted by chains
and feet cut by the stony road
where lion and bear wait
to kill your view of faulty Zion,
stripped down from her hill.

Tell me, Jeremiah,
about this town with no King,
where you, pressed face-long to the ground,
taste your teeth broken down
for the least of these.
Women eat salty skin
boiled and baked within them,
in their own hands,
and the prophets lie
and see clever fantasies
to calm the captives.

Let me, Jeremiah,
bear the yoke while I'm young
that I might sit down and shut up
disgraced in my own ashes-
a "harlot-town's son"-
so I can better know your hope
because, sir, I've seen your King.
Oh, Jeremiah sing,
for your King, at last, has come.

A new kingdom has come.'

Do not delay. Make haste and add this album to your collection.

(Below are quotations taken from Versha Sharma's article in the November 12th edition of THE CONGLOMERATE.)

"The Shreveport-based band started work on Soul Still Remembers in December of 2002. Having either known each other or played with each other at previous times, Nelson, Scott, and Stroope helped Roberts take what he calls "ten shells of songs" and make them into the full-length pieces found on the album. As for the band's namesake, Roberts claims that the band 'just picked it because we thought it sounded good. But we realized the songs were pretty self-critical, so if that means anything, so be it.' His casual remarks lend a deeper resonance to the lyrics of the album - lyrics of suffering, searching, sin, remorse, ultimate redemption and solace; this singer isn't just blankly following directions. He's singing what he believes in, and it shows."

"The music itself ranges from Coldplay-like to Incubus-like (think "Warning" from Morning View), with heavy bass lines giving way to soft piano."

"Fans of rock [are] pleased to hear songs such as 'Worse Than I Thought' and 'Soul Still Remembers' played to full volume, while more mellow fans [take] pleasure in hearing Roberts sing 'To Jeremiah' and 'The Faerie Queene,' which takes its spelling from classic English poet Edmund Spenser's epic poem of mankind and morality. Roberts's voice manages to switch from anguished and desperate to joyous and praising in a manner of minutes, and his versatile singing style, laced with the original sounds of the band, combine to make a potent force of music and faith."

Myles Roberts comments in the article on his bandmates:

"There's no drummer, guitar player, or bass player I would rather play with than the three I do. Take one person away from this band, and the album doesn't sound like it does and the other members won't play or sound like they do. Our tastes and, more importantly, our friendships influence the way each of us plays and writes. I think (is this lame?) we are one another's biggest fans. I don't think anyone loves the way Gregg plays guitar, Shawn plays bass, or Daniel plays drums more than I do. And I think they'd say similar things about each other and maybe even me."

This stuff is some of the best music I have heard in a long time. It doesn’t sound like anything else, there are just flavors of great bands in there (do I hear a hint of Train or Counting Crows?). The ending of “A Floor Below” is art. The band is awesome. I love the guitar tone. This music has flavor!

I love this cd. I must agree with Mr. Robert Morris. The replay value is infinite. Great job by Roberts and Strange. It's great to hear Callie's voice on the tracks as well. I waited what seemed like 2 years for this cd to come out. "A Floor Below," "Worse Than I Thought," and "Call me" are amazing! Thanks for putting out music that God seems to time so perfectly to speak into my life!

I was surprised at the professional quality of this CD. The lyrics are haunting - inspiring the listener to examine their own hearts. Every song sends a message to the listener, all intending to point the listener to the Truth. I hope that this CD is successful, and will encourage the Critics to continue glorifying God through their musical talents.

"Soul Still Remembers" is the best album I've ever heard or ever will hear.

"Soul Still Remembers" is the best album I've ever heard or ever will hear. Musically, the Critics excell. It's better than the Beatles. Whoever wrote this music is a genius. Lyrically, the stuff is deeper than a swimming pool on the 36th floor of a classy hotel. I don't know how I can emphasize enough that this album is a must buy. Peace out.

Just listening to the words put to music has given me a greater conscientious appreciation of God. Many people are "convicted" to only listen to Christian artists. Well, I'm a person who felt "convicted" to stay away from most Christian music because of its copied sound and lame lyric. This album helped bring the prodigal home. What a feast!

It hasn't left my CD player since I got it. The music is fabulous, but the greatness of the lyrics dwarfs the musical genius that is present. This CD is worth the price of 2 or 3 others. It's so great to hear music that isn't a bunch of fluff but is bold enough to discuss issues that no one else seems to want to touch.